The active tilting adjustments counteracts the onset of oscillations in the main mast as the result of uneven flooring and load movements and thus increases the comfort and productivity of the narrow-aisle forklift. The innovative system, consisting of high-precision laser sensors, a high-torque asynchronous motor and intelligent closed-loop control, dynamically adjusts the axle position of the load wheel. This makes it possible to adjust the side mast tilt specifically to suit the various operating states.
As lifting heights increase, the travel speed often needs to be reduced more sharply on uneven surfaces than would be necessary for reasons of stability alone. The tilt assistant counteracts the evenness tolerances by having the load wheel trace the limits of the floor topology. The side movements caused by uneven flooring are thus effectively moderated and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle is reduced by up to 27%. The result is a noticeable increase in the driving comfort and performance of the forklift truck.
The tilting adjustment is also a useful tool for the driver during stacking and retrieval. Extension movements are accompanied by corresponding adjustments to the axis position, causing the vehicle to tilt relative to the shelf and the deflection of the lifting mast to be compensated. The chimney effect is reduced and the insertion depth optimised.
The newly developed driver assistance system provides a boost in performance in the narrow-aisle warehouse by:
Driver workload is reduced, error rate is reduced and handling capacity is increased by up to 30%. With the position assistance system, Logistics 4.0 is making its way into the narrow-aisle warehouse.
For narrow-aisle forklifts, the higher the load is raised, the more the travel speed must be reduced. The position assistance system therefore calculates travel profiles with the longest possible stretches covered with the cab lowered. For a single cycle, the optimum lifting switch-on point is calculated before driving is commenced. When this point is reached, the lift must be activated to reach the target in a purely diagonal journey. The system implements the travel profile automatically and thus guides the load to the target in the fastest possible way.
In double cycles, the optimum path leads to a more distant target via an intermediate height that is permissible at maximum speed. The position assistance system also implements these complex travel profiles automatically. As for the single cycle, the driver can choose between automatic or manual fine positioning in the immediate vicinity of the target, depending on whether the driver aims to reach the target precisely or would prefer to save a few seconds on the last few metres.
In confined transfer aisles shared by warehouse staff and vehicles, even an experienced forklift truck driver can lose track of things. The risk of an accident increases, which increases the workload for warehouse staff. The newly developed Magaziner environment assistant with its powerful camera system provides perfect all-round visibility and thus guarantees safe operation in narrow-aisle warehouses. The risk of injury and damage to shelving and stored goods is minimised, and the handling capacity is significantly increased thanks to faster gear changes.
The environment assistant comprises three or four heavy duty industrial cameras and a seven-inch split-screen monitor with high resolution and very good contrast. The cameras are integrated into the vehicle contour for smooth operation and can be used in a wide temperature range from -60 °C to 85 °C, so they can also be used in cold store applications.
The split-screen monitor integrated into the tried-and-tested universal rail displays a 270° bird’s-eye view and optionally a forward view of the wheel arm height. The bird’s-eye view enables safe manoeuvring in the transfer aisle, while the optional forward view supports entry into the narrow aisle. Particularly in mechanically guided vehicles, this significantly boosts operational safety.